Medicare HMOs

Under Medicare HMOs (health maintenance organizations), members pay regular monthly premiums to Medicare, and Medicare pays the HMO a fixed sum to provide Medicare benefits (such as hospitalization, doctor's visits, etc.). Medicare HMOs may provide extra benefits over and above regular Medicare benefits (such as eyeglasses, among others). Members do not pay Medicare deductibles and co-payments but may have to pay the HMO various additional fees.